First, breaking news on the Sharks family front: Brody Marleau arrived this morning, weighing in at 7 lbs., 12 ozs. Mother and baby both doing fine, father Patrick still scheduled to meet the team in Nashville on Thursday.

And, since many of you were wondering, nobody will be wearing the ‘C’ tonight — “Patty’s our captain,” Todd McLellan said –and there will be a third ‘A’ handed out.

Who will be wearing it?

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“We’ll talk about it as a group,” he coach said.

Beyond that, everything was pretty much where we left things in San Jose before the flights East. Jeremy Roenick was again skating at right wing on the third line with Travis Moen on the left side and Ryan Vesce at center. And the Chicago media was all over that story, too.

One asked how conscious was Roenick that this could be his last game in Chicago.

“Absolutely,” he said, “it’s one of the games that I targeted coming back off my injury just because of the fact it could be my last game. I would say chances are moreso that it would be than it would not. But I don’t want to think about that right now. I just want to go ut there and win and soak it up.”

And did he do any arm-twisting to get back on the ice tonight?

“There might have been a little bit of arm-twisting,” Roenick said, “but I wouldn’t play if I didn’t know I was 100 percent ready to go. You don’t want to come back too early and get hurt for the playoffs.”

********For Travis Moen and Sammy Pahlsson, it’s going to be a little strange playing against each other tonight — especially because neither will be wearing the Anaheim jersey they wore as linemates for four seasons.

Both were traded at the NHL’s March 4 and that didn’t leave any time for formal good-bys, both said this morning. But they have continued to stay in touch, and went out to dinner together in Chicago on Tuesday night.

Moen, Pahlsson and Rob Niedermayer formed the Ducks’ checking line, but Pahlsson — who has played only three games as a Blackhawk — said Chicago is looking for a little more offense out of him. To that end, he was penciled in on a line with Patrick Kane and Kris Versteeg, though that could change.

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And how does Moen expect things to turn out if he happens to be on the ice tonight against his former linemate?

“I’m not sure what’s going to happen,” Moen said. “It’ll definitely be nice if we get one or two shifts, maybe give him a little shot in the corner.”

Moen, who played his NHL rookie season in Chicago the year before the lockout, chose the restaurant where he and Pahlsson dined. But it turns out that might have happened in any city the two happened to be in.

“Sammy’s not the kind of guy who likes to pick where he wants to eat or what he wants to eat. He always picks the food that I pick, too,” Moen said.

Chicken, in case you were wondering.

********Roenick is the first of nine injured Sharks to return to the lineup. The team is only saying that all will be back for the playoffs, but I asked McLellan if he and his staff have projected return dates for each.

“Yep, target dates.”

And will he share them?

“Not a chance.”

David Pollak

David Pollak has been following the NHL forever and at the Mercury News as an editor or reporter since 1987. For almost a decade he wrote about the Sharks as the paper's Fan in the Stands before joining the sports department in 2001. He became the Sharks beat writer before the 2007-08 season and began this blog at that time. You can also follow him on Twitter at @PollakOnSharks.

Sharks’ game day preview implies that Blake might show up tonight. Any update on that?

Evilducks

“Not a chance.”

You know, sometimes I miss the way the NFL deals with injury. Hockey is so much more stressful for overbearing fans trying to predict the future of a team and what may happen…

David Pollak

Section 223,

Blake not on trip. Seems pretty unlikely he’ll play despite Sharks’ game day preview.

David

Jesse

Hey DP – anything to add about the Petrecki signing?

sharkie power

Aw, now I can’t forget Patty’s new baby’s birthday, it’s the day after mine.
+
I’m curious as to who is going to wear the third “A” tonight.

Ramon

I would guess Boyle gets the 3rd “A”

HammerHead

Pavelski… how can you not give the “A” back to Little Joe.

WI JP

I’d love to eat my words, but if Nabby isn’t the No. 1 star of the game, the Sharks are in for a very rough night in the windy city.

JR will be the only Shark who will be well received in Chicago.

IMO

Ivano

Yes, Chicago is tough at home, but this isn’t the same Chicago that was a force in the 1st half the season, but more like Chicago from a year ago. They lost 7 of the last 10, including embarrassing losses at home to the Islanders and the Avs. For a club that’s trying to gain home ice advantage for playoffs, there is no excuse. I think Sharks will pound them tonight, 4-1, with JR doing most of the damage.

And that creepy tax lawyer with some kid checking JR on a shoulder better stay away from JR this time.

Penny

Joe $$$ (Pavelski) is already sporting an A. They need a 3rd. Boyle would be a good choice.

sirsharkie

If I’m a betting man, since it’s only for one game, in Chicago: how does JR NOT get the “A” for this one game? I mean, did Patty not show up on purpose?

Thornton – “A”
Pavelski – “A” (wearing Blake’s “A” who was wearing Grier’s “A”)
Roenick – “A” (wearing the third “A” with the “C” out of the lineup)

Tano

Congratulations to the Marleaus!!!!!
I am trying to figure out if Brody is a boy or a girl.
For Pete’s sake, where do people find these names? Don’t they realize that the kid is going to have to put up with it for the rest of his/her life?

I am going out on a limb and assume Brody is a boy, and why not call the kid Ivano, or Goaliepuke, or David, or Little Sieve or Sean, or Ramon, or Seamus, or Ben, or Vladimir, or perhaps even Tano.

On tonight’s game, it will probably be pretty contested, I am sure both the Sharks and Hawks want to see how they can do against a pretty good team. Looking forward to the return of JR. I agree with Thornton, JR is not ready for retirement, so we look forward to seeing him again in teal in 2009/2010.

Go Sharks!!!!

VonMerpf

The more I hear from Todd McLellan, the more I like him. He always stands up for his players (even when they have bad games), never loses his temper (take a lesson Gretzky!) and always downplays his own role in the Shark’s sucess. He’s my favorite coach in sports since George Seifert coached the 49ers.

Joe

I think it would be pretty obvious to have Roenick wear the “A” tonight given that this is only going to be a one-night thing and it maybe being JR’s last game in Chicago (although there’s a decent chance of a 2nd round playoff meeting between the Sharks & Hawks).

If not Roenick, then it’ll be Boyle. The only other possibility I can think of would maybe be Cheechoo.

I agree with the person that said Nabokov has to be the #1 star tonight. I can’t imagine the Sharks scoring more than 2-3 goals with this lineup.

Cheechick

To Tano: I think Brody’s a great name!

I agree, Nabby better be playing his best tonight!

Bubba

If they discuss it as a team, Joe T. will get up and say, “This is JR’s last game in Chicago…except for next season…so he should be the ‘A’.” And everyone will nods their heads and it will be done.

I didn’t notice that Pavs had Grier’s “A”. I thought I saw Blake having it at least one game. That’s pretty cool that a young kid like that would carry that much respect. I guess he’s not that young, when you consider he went to college, while C/A’s like OV, Crosby, Toews didn’t.

Evilducks

Blake does get the A over Pavs, but Blake is out too, so it’s fallen to Pavs. Still, a good distinction for the kid.

Roenick is the best choice for the A at this point even if it wasn’t Chicago. That guy is a major leader on this team, and it’s noticeable when he is out of the line up. The Sharks aren’t the same team without him. He may not get goals 30 goals, but he lights a fire under the guys that do.

WR

I hope the Hawks fans give Roenick the long and well-deserved standing ovation he deserves. And I hope he shows them some love in return by putting the biscuit in the basket for the game-winner.

David Pollak

Tano,

To end even the least bit of uncertainty, Brody is a baby of the male variety.

David

sjnative

Brody seems an odd choice for a Shark, considering that was the name of the police chief in “Jaws” who eventually killed the beast…

TaxSharkFan

DP. Thanks again for all the great info. Lets hope this isn’t JR’s last rip to Chicago. I for one wouldn’t mind seeing him in a Shark’s sweater for one more year.

TaxSharkFan

oops “trip”

MikeGb

Tano, i’ve never even met a girl named brody. If there are girls named brody i feel sorry for them.

Brody is a good name. I have friends named taylor and that can be a girl name too.

A surname and place name. Brodie, a popular variation, is the name of a castle in Scotland.

ALTERNATIVES

Brodee Brodie Brodey

JBG

Sorry for double postings. Fingers are pressing enter to quickly!

MarkdaShark

I like the name Brody, thumbs up to the Marleaus and the latest baby Shark, would be cool if JR, got the third A, but Nabby would also be a good choice, seems he chats with refs more then anybody, would be kosher since Luongo was given the C this year.

Dunno why my last comment was not published. But if your ever in doubt, Tano, there is a website that shows you baby name trends. Babynamewizard is the site and it shows Brody as never cracking the top 1000 for girls name. Ever.

Brody Jenner is one pretty famous Brody that comes to mind. But then again, you need to be of the MTV demographic to even remotely know who that is.

Ryan

If “Sharkspage” sources are legit, I guess Petrecki is the newest member of the Worchester Sharks. He has to stop checking guys from behind into the glass. Other than that, he’s great (and this is a BU fan speaking of a BC player, yes we are “rivals”). He could very well replace Murray in a year or two.

Tano

Thanks DP and all who responded to my comments on Brody Marleau. In terms of Irish names I am partial to Seamus myself, but there you go.

I agree with those of you who believe that JR should be the one wearing the A, but I guess JR does not need a letter on his chest to do what he does best.

Looking forward to the game in just over 30 minutes. Go Sharks!!!!!

Sharkalchemy

eeegahds…3-1 hawks and Nabby has actually bailed out the team a couple times.

at this pace the team will not have legs by tomorrow night. : / Coach has gotta resist short shifting the 4th line tonight, or you may as well spot the Preds the 3rd period tomorrow night, cuz the tank will be empty.

Teejay

Nabby isn’t doing much tonight to bail the team out. Ya, defense has gone to sleep, but at least 2 of the 3 Nabby should have had.

Section 219

Just turned on the game at the start of the 2nd and it’s already 3-1 Hawks! Have the Sharks played that poorly or have the Hawks just kicked butt?

Sharkalchemy

ummm…no. it could be 6-1 right now. Perhaps he should of had a couple of those goals but the Hawks were on a feeding frenzy that in retrospect a timeout would of been nice to call in the midst of, but oh wells.

Section 219

I wish forfeiting was an option. At 4-1 the Sharks could just throw in the towel, cut their losses, and avoid any further injuries. Jeez.

Section 219

Maybe I spoke too soon. Still it’s 4-3 Hawks, and I’ve got my fingers crossed that no injuries occur, regardless of the final score.

Nick_G

Bad Defense + Soft Nabby = the early 4-1 lead for the Hawks. It doesn’t look like TM is short shifting that 4th line cuz Vesce/McGinn are on fire out there.

Section 219

Forgive me, but is Brody Marleau a boy or a girl? My wife tells me the name can be used for either sex.

Section 219

Well, the Red Wings lost to Calgary then bounced back to win the next night in Edmonton. Let’s hope the Sharks can bounce back tomorrow in Nashville. Just don’t count on the guys in Teal scoring 3 goals in the final 5 minutes to do it, like the Red Wings did against the Oilers.

Sid

Their hearts aren’t in this one. It just looks like Chicago is skating circles around them.

JR only one on the top 2 lines with any fire.

Sid

FWIW…

I find it hard to believe Chicago has only committed 2 penalties all game.

Why is there such a dramatic dropoff in penalty calls when the game is “playoff” like?

I would argue that the more intense the game…the MORE penalties there are to call. The NHL needs some refs with some balls.

Section 219

I’m glad it was Campbell that Setoguchi beat on the Sharks fourth goal.

Wan8iv

Why does it seem every time when they are trying to tie the score
the puck seems to jump over a stick. Cheechoo was wide open on
that rebound.

Wan8iv

Sid at #43 I have to agree.

Wan8iv

Jumbo with an amazing score!!!!!!!

Sid

Way to fight back!!!

Section 219

How do you do! The Sharks battle back from a 3 goal deficit to earn a point and tie the Red Wings atop the West. Let’s get the second point guys!